Want an urban purse that’ll make an eco-statement? Try English Retreads. Upcycled from old truck and tractor inner tubes — usually with 60,000 miles on them! — English Retreads’ accessories have rugged urban style — and are pretty much indestructible too.
I got the Cruiser (right) a couple years ago as a birthday gift from Summer, who sells them at her eco-boutique, BTC Elements. Since then, the purse has gotten me lots of compliments — especially at Green Drinks. My camera, purse, and phone fit snugly into the Cruiser, making it the perfect size for a blogger on the go.
There are a couple things I think could be improved about the Cruiser, however. For one, the purse can leave faint black tire marks on white clothes! Luckily, my closet looks like that of a witch — almost everything’s black — and my eco-friendly dry cleaner easily got the purse stains out of my white trench. Still, those who tend to dress like a new bride should be warned.
I also find the one-snap closure a tad inadequate, since stuff can slip out the top — I once broke a brand new Gabrielle powder compact this way. That made me more careful, so I’ve avoided mishaps since….
Many English Retreads’ purses have closed tops though. Pick from a bunch of different styles and sizes, from laptop bags to clutches to wallets. You can get recycled belts, dog collars, and key ring attachments too. All of English Retreads’ products are made in Boulder, Colorado.
Shop on English Retreads’ website for the full catalog, or get the Mini Tote (right) on sale at BTC Elements for $47.
I love their concept and look, specially the big totes and the messenger style one. I havent gotten around to buy any yet but have always considered it for future purchase to myself or perhaps a gift. I think I came across their site surfing between alchemy goods and steeltoe studio (from seattle.)
very cool stuff!
Comment by meligrosa — January 23, 2009 @ 9:05 am
The designs really are fun :) The wallets especially would make pretty good gifts, I think :)
Comment by Siel — January 23, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
Loooooove English Retreads. I use their wallet, my pooch uses their dog collar…and being in Boulder, Colorado, Retreads’ ‘hood, I see folks using their totes and purses pretty frequently. Nice post.
Comment by Waylon — January 25, 2009 @ 9:55 am
How do they smell? I picked up a jar opener made from a tire at the Go Green Expo yesterday, and was all excited till I got it home and my husband said, “Ugh, it stinks of tires.” He was right. And I’m kinda wondering if smelling tire is all that healthy.
Comment by Jamie — January 25, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
The tires have been washed and buffed many times (with eco-friendly detergent of course), so that tire smell is pretty much gone!
Comment by Lauren — January 25, 2009 @ 4:37 pm